Save Money When Buying or Selling a Home

If you’re considering moving home, whether it’s your first home, you’re looking for more space for a growing family or downsizing, it can be a stressful process. Along with feeling that the whole thing could be daunting, there are lots of potential costs that you will need to save for. However, not all of these are necessary.

Here are some ways you can save money whilst navigating the property ladder:

Buy a fixed price home

When looking for a property that is listed for ‘offers over’ it will either go to a closing date in which case you’ll need to submit your highest and final offer, or you could submit an offer in the hope that it will be accepted. However, this offer will need to be good enough for vendor to accept it and take the property off the market. Either way this will need to be done via a solicitor who will charge for their services.  An alternative is to buy a fixed price home – so once you’ve decided you want to buy it and paid a reservation fee, it’s yours!

Consider the energy efficiency

When moving home, it’s a good idea to choose a home with lower running costs. A newer home will have lower utilities bills than an older property.

Selling your home

If you are selling your property, it’s worth negotiating hard on commission and comparing agents. On average, high street agents charge around 1.5%, but will often reduce this to around 1% or even lower if you ask. Just make sure you are using the right agent who has a proven track record.

Remortgaging

If you are selling a home and looking to buy, you may be able to port your current mortgage. However, given the historic rates we have seen over the past couple of years, you could find that by remortgaging you save on your monthly repayments. Talk to a mortgage broker for advice on the best course of action – they will be able to look at the whole of the market including deals you won’t find on the high street.

Engaging a solicitor

It’s important to choose your solicitor wisely, whether buying or selling. When selling a home, your solicitor should be able to save time by carrying out prep work before a buyer is even found. This can really speed things along when a buyer makes an offer. An efficient solicitor can save weeks on the conveyancing process.

DIY removals

Removals firms can be expensive so try and do as much of the moving yourself to cut down on these costs. If you don’t have many belongings you could find that hiring a van is the most economical way to move, otherwise make sure you speak to several firms to get the best price and pack wisely to keep the number of boxes to a minimum.  It’s also important to book the removals service as soon as you can in order to get the best price – and moving mid-week can often be cheaper. Finally, make sure you aren’t taking any belongings that you aren’t going to keep – so have a big sort out before you move home as this will also cut down on time and money.

Choose new

By buying a new home, you will be saving money on the cost of any home improvements. With an existing property you may need to spend money on upgrading the kitchen or bathrooms, which could prove to be costly. Buying new means that you move in – and that’s it!

Help to Buy

Are you eligible for the Help to Buy (Scotland) scheme or the First Home Fund? This means that you will only need a 5% deposit!

Take a look at our current developments.